Work permit legislation

More liberal Swedish labor migration laws came into force in December 2008, making it much easier to move to Sweden for work. By following the simplified rules, it is possible to find a job from abroad, receive an offer of employment and receive a Swedish work permit. In short, if a Swedish employer needs your skills, a work permit is not far behind.

Rules for working in Sweden are quite straightforward. Non-EU citizens* simply need to apply for a job via the European job mobility portal (EURES), receive a written job offer from a Swedish employer and send in an application for a work and residence permit to the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).

If you meet the requirements, you will be given a permit for the duration of employment, lasting up to two years at a time. However, if you decide to change employers during the first two years, you will have to apply for a new permit. This can be done from within Sweden. As long as you have a job, the permit can be extended several times, and after only four years, permanent residency can be granted.

These new laws create an efficient and flexible system. For employers, it’s now much easier to recruit foreign workers with skills that are lacking in Sweden. For potential employees, the process of applying for a work and residence permit is simpler, thanks to an easy online application process. The new legislation is based on the premise that employers best understand their recruitment needs. The Swedish Migration Board therefore bases its decisions on these needs.

Non-EU citizens* who attend university in Sweden can also apply for a work and residence permit after they have completed their studies. As Tobias Billström, the Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, explains: “The Swedish labor market is now open for all skills in demand.”

*Excluding Nordic, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens, for whom other rules apply.

Read more about how to apply for work and residence permit